MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie Newson today released the following statement on the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly rankings of employment and unemployment estimates. The report noted Wisconsin's year-over-year unemployment rate change from 6.8 to 5.7 percent was "statistically significant." In addition, the data show Wisconsin's gain of 33,800 private sector jobs year over year was also significant and ranked 23rd highest nationally in number of jobs gained.

"Wisconsin's unemployment rate has continued to move in the right direction, reaching levels not seen since October 2008 and continuing to outpace the national rate," Secretary Newson said. "On a year-over-year basis, the monthly estimates indicate Wisconsin added 33,800 private sector jobs, posting the 23rd highest gain nationally. In addition, our state is ranked 5th nationally for the number of manufacturing jobs added and has been a consistent leader in adding these good-paying jobs."

Wisconsin's unemployment rate had a statistically significant decrease between June 2013 and June 2014. (2014 5.7% v. 2013 6.8%). Wisconsin's unemployment rate has not risen for 19 months.

Wisconsin has a statistically significant private-sector job (Current Employment Statistics) increase between June 2013 and June 2014 at 33,800, which ranked 23rd nationally.

Wisconsin had a statistically significant total nonfarm job (CES) increase between June 2013 and June 2014 at 45,400, which ranked 16th nationally.

Wisconsin had a statistically significant manufacturing job (CES) increase between June 2013 and June 2014 at 8,300, which ranked 5th nationally and above Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Other indicators that help illustrate the state of Wisconsin’s economy include:

According to monthly jobs estimates, more than 114,000 private sector jobs have been created across the state since December 2010.

Wisconsin’s private sector job growth from December 2010 through December 2013 is the largest three-year December-to-December private sector job growth seen under a single Governor this century, according to actual job counts (Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages)

Initial weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims for the first 27 weeks of 2014 dropped to the lowest point since 2000, and the annual average weekly UI claims are at a 13-year low.

Department of Financial Institutions new business formations: up 5.7 percent through June compared to the same period in 2013.

The BLS' full state-by-state estimates for June 2014 are available online.